“In these turbulent times, facts matter and fair reporting is essential. What Public News Service brings to the table is not just experience and reach -- lots of outlets have those – but also a commitment to substantive coverage of public-interest news, nationally and in the states. Our KIDS COUNT network benefits from PNS coverage on children’s well-being that everyone from parents to policymakers will find to be accessible and informative.” – Beau Boughamer, Senior Communications Manager, The Annie E. Casey Foundation

"Proud to be telling real journalism stories again. PNS sheds light on areas often ignored by the mainstream media. I can think of no other time when this is more important, than this election year." – Stephanie Carson, Producer, PNS

"Public News Service provides one of the best ways to reach western audiences. By providing credible, balanced coverage, PNS is utilized by many radio stations and other media outlets throughout the West; communicating with listeners that otherwise would be out of reach." – Chris Mehl, Headwaters Economics

“We are a small organization handling complex programs. We simply don’t have the resources to have a communications person; we can barely keep up with the website. PNS fills an important hole in our advocacy efforts and I will continue to urge others to take advantage of the communication opportunities your organization provides. Thanks for all you folks do. You do it well.” – Dave Rinebolt, Executive Director & Counsel, Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy

“We are a small organization handling complex programs. We simply don’t have the resources to have a communications person; we can barely keep up with the website. PNS fills an important hole in our advocacy efforts and I will continue to urge others to take advantage of the communication opportunities your organization provides. Thanks for all you folks do. You do it well.” – Dave Rinebolt, Executive Director & Counsel, Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy

"We believe that the support and public education that has been generated by funding a beat in the Public New Service has been well worth it. We have partnered with PNS journalists over the years and they are excellent." – Sherry Currens, Executive Director, Kentucky Coalition Against Domestic Violence

"Until we can find a way to find common ground between today's seemingly irreconcilable camps, we'll continue to see strife and unrest. But if it's going to come from anywhere, it'll be organizations such as PNS that will facilitate the quest for understanding." – Dallas Heltzell, Editor, PNS

"I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of an organization that cares, so much, about our collective future." – Greg Stotelmyer, Producer

"It is an honor to be a part of the work PNS is doing and express my pride as a member of this intelligent, professional, hard-working and committed team." – Alfonso López-Collada, Spanish Language Producer

"Love the news service and all you folks do. You have a tremendous bunch of journalists churning out some great stuff. We use every story from South Dakota, most stories from Minnesota and some from North Dakota too." – David J. Law, Station Manager, KXLG Radio

"PNS proves consistently its commitment to accuracy and an ability to see the most poignant and compelling angles. PNS is fantastic to work with!" – Anna West, Humane Society of the United States

“You’re all All-Stars in my book! As the Quakers say, we’ll hold you in the Light and keep working for a day when journalists – along with children and all people – can live in peace.” – Jon Krieg, American Friends Service Committee

"Very inspiring and impressive! Thank you for your commitment and endless hours of work to facilitate choices based upon facts." – Robin Gilman, R.N.

They have been fantastic…tremendously professional, diligent and effective in researching and creating pieces about our effort to gain support in New Hampshire for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United. We have had significant media coverage throughout the state since Public News Service began working on this issue and I am sure that they have played an important role in making that happen. – Jonah Minkoff-Zern, Campaign Director, Public Citizen

"We haven’t had any remotely local news on the weekends for months now - this will be a big step up. You rock.” – Maryland Broadcaster

“I think of PNS as AP with a heart, covering progressive issues that are often overlooked in the media milieu.” – Denise M. Moorehead, Moorehead Creative Solutions for the BUILD Initiative

“I second the LOVE for Public News Service! They have been incredible!” – Malkia Cyril, Executive Director, Center for Media Justice & MAG-NET

”We really appreciate you being among the first to cover an important story before the national media thought it was worthwhile!” – Jennifer Rennicks, Director of Policy & Communications, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy

"I like that it will sometimes bring stories and issues to my attention." – National Media Outlet

"I read it... to know what people are talking about. Once in a while, it will give me a story idea I can develop locally." – Media Outlet

"PNS extends the reach and amplifies the voices of those too often left out of [mainstream media discussions]. Supporting it is one of the most effective investments a nonprofit can make." – Marcia Egbert, Senior Program Officer, The George Gund Fdn

"Public News Service is the most widely used independent news service you've never heard of..." – AlterNet

"We have been supporting Michigan News Connection for at least three years... It's an excellent way to reach audiences we normally wouldn't reach." – Barbara (Bobbie) Lewis, Director of Communications, Lutheran Social Services of Michigan

"We truly value our partnership with the Iowa News Service. From their helpful story development process to timely usage analysis, we appreciate the care, professionalism and results their stories deliver every time." – Ann Black, State Director for Communications, AARP Iowa

"We value the service greatly. With just one staff reporter, it's a challenge to fill the news hole three times a week, so we appreciate the intelligent, interesting content." – Media Outlet

"We work with PNS to develop a mindset among our organization's leaders to step back and consider the newsworthiness of the projects and activities we are involved in." – Lucy Copass, League of Women Voters WA

"...invaluable in disseminating information about our issues to parts of the state where we've never had a presence"..."we would not have been able to reach out so broadly--where legislators and their constituents listen--in such a consistent and timely fashion"..."delivers strategic objectives for nonprofit advocates on a daily basis"..."a smart, cost-effective way to make sure the issues we care about are covered in communities large and small throughout the state..." – NYNC Supporters

"In a world where corporate media and pop culture are increasingly intertwined, I find it refreshing to be part of an independent news service committed to providing stories that delve into issues that truly and profoundly affect our communities." – Monique Coppola, Journalist

"Supporting an independent news outlet that casts a wider net and gets more voices and opinions into the public debate - we all win." – PNS Supporters

"The scripts are well written and soundbites are concise.", News Director

"We are extremely pleased with the story coverage and the constant and good outreach on behalf of the Texas News Service staff. Issues that we have been working on for years are finally getting heard and for the first time our perspective is aired on outlets such as Clear Channel; reaching an audience beyond the choir." – Mike Seifert, Network Weaver

"What makes it especially valuable is the PNS website that carries an audio and printed version. We make sure that our local and state leaders know about the news coverage... and also use our web and Facebook presence to send members and friends to the site." – Bill Johnson, Communications Director, Virginia Education Association

"I'm pleased to be a part of such a sound and worthwhile organization." – Dick Layman, Producer, PNS

"Telling stories that affect real people and making a difference. That's the kind of work I can be proud of in this ever-changing world of media." – Debbie Courson Smith, Managing Editor, PNS

"We feel it's a great resource, and appreciate all you do... thank you!" – Elizabeth Wright, Tennesseans for Fair Taxation

"We've worked with Public News Service for several years now...a very effective method of getting news about our issues in front of the public." – Don Neal, Equality State Policy Center

"...it has been really helpful... we are thrilled..." – Gerda Stein, Center for Death Penalty Litigation

"...seasoned journalists and the product that they produce is evidence of that fact ... great people to work with also." – Jane Garrott, Wisconsin Association for Justice

"[Important issues] in Illinois have been carried farther and more accurately throughout the state thanks to the Illinois News Connection..." – Gerardo Cardenas, Senior Manager - Communications, AARP Illinois

"I enjoy helping to shed light on many of the social and economic issues that have a definite impact on the lives of [real people]." – John Michaelson, Producer, PNS

"In today's turbulent, and mostly sensationalized media, we can really help out all the other newsrooms suffering from shrinking resources, and that helps the public ultimately." – Jerry Oster, Producer, PNS

"It's positive support for newsrooms and web outlets across the country." – Glen Gardener, Journalist

"PNS is filling an important niche by building awareness and investigating the important stories that many traditional news sources have lost sight of or don't have the resources and time to cover." – Jared White, The Wilderness Society

"We are completely happy working with the ANC...great stories that get wide distribution throughout the region. The relationship and work has been great." – Jennifer Allen, Executive Director, Border Action Network

"...hugely helpful in reaching folks we could never otherwise reach...I've gone to meetings with state officials and have seen the stories we pitched on their desks. On more than one occasion, I've been able to pitch stories to the national group that got carried all over the country and that reached millions..." – Rick Wilson, AFSC-WV Economic Justice Project

"In the current news landscape, PNS plays a critical role in bringing public-interest stories into communities around the country. We appreciate working with this growing network." – Roye Anastasio-Bourke, Senior Communications Manager, Annie E. Casey Foundation

"Instead of the 'if it bleeds, it leads' news culture, at PNS we offer coverage of substantive issues that actually impact lives in far broader terms, and offer some food for thought on how to make those lives better." – Tom Joseph, Producer, PNS

"PNS is: Easy. Friendly. Helpful." – Rebecca Turner, Faith Aloud

"The eyes and ears of the entire nation have been on Wisconsin and it's been a challenge and an honor to document the dramatic changes in Wisconsin's political landscape for Public News Service (going forward) promises to be no less interesting." – Tim Morrissey, Producer, WNC

"The Public News Service has proven its value in educating the public and increasing awareness of [important issues]. The reporters and interviews provide an ideal opportunity to train and increase the confidence of our spokespeople." – Stacie Fredenburg, Community Health Association of the Dakotas

"We are pleased with the outreach that Keystone State News Connection provides, and the need for public interest and progressive voices in mainstream news media has never been greater." – Wythe Keever, Pennsylvania State Education Association

"We do an incredible amount of work, but much of it never gets to the media...in this, PNS is incredibly helpful." – Sherry Otto, Cumberland Chapter, Sierra Club

"We joined PNS, upon faith, not knowing really what to expect. Through balanced reporting of news, you are really responding to a huge media gap in Texas. Keep up the good work!" – Randy Chapman, Executive Director, Texas Legal Services Center

"When we think about high impact, strategic communication, we think about the Public News Service." – Ona Porter, Executive Director, Prosperity Works New Mexico

Pioneers in Our Field

Public News Service pioneered the first member-supported independent news service model in the commercial space and we are constantly innovating and finding new ways to add benefit to all that we offer our supporters. The list is constantly growing - please check out the latest benefits below!

Membership Benefit Review Webinar

We encourage you to make the most of your membership, and our webinar will help you keep abreast of all the newest reports, latest ways to get the greatest pickup for your issues, and best practices for members. It is also an excellent opportunity to be able to ask one-on-one questions of our regional producers and outreach staff.

Spanish translation, distribution, and talk show booking

This is an easy and very effective add-on to your membership that can help broaden reach and widen audience numbers! See our Spanish Language section for more details.

Daily National News Podcast

Many of the state stories are included in our daily national newscast for mobile devices that is available on iTunes, Stitcher, other sites and our own webpage.

Free PNS RSS Widget for your site

This customizable widget (an example can be seen to the left of this page), can be put on any page of your site. It provides a constantly updating stream of stories with issues you choose from any geographic region you select. This widget is easy to add and perfect for any site, from improving an active website to a fairly quiet and low-content site that you are looking to enhance without much effort or expense. This is especially ideal for those of you with “recent events/news/media” sections on your website.

Our widgets look very professional, they are never out of date, and take no work from you after the initial effort to get the code on your site. It’s a great way to keep your community aware of the exciting developments on things you care about.

Discounts on leadership trainings

Our sister non-profit, Media in the Public Interest, provides strategic communications, both live and virtual, to Public News Service members and other NGOs around the country. Here are some samples:

MPI’s “Ask A Reporter” training is a popular one-hour briefing and Q & A with Public News Service’s top producers who provide honest and informed feedback on your toughest media questions.

"Communicating Across Divides: Building Bridges With Polar Opposites" is MPI's groundbreaking strategic communications training that helps show you how to "get through" and creatively problem-solve amont those with very different opinions.

With facilitators Eric Haas (formerly with Rockridge Institute) and Patty Beach (protégé of Barry Johnson, creator of Polarity Thinking & Management), the training allows organizations as well as individuals to become "multi-lingual" across worldviews, enabling people to get beyond their base and build consensus for progress and solutions—something especially valuable for those working on divisive issues. Nonprofit leaders leave the training with solid tools to better navigate polarities they often face and therefore better equipped to mobilize public opinion and promote positive policy outcomes.

Public News Service members receive significantly discounted registration rates, so keep your eyes open for training offerings in the future and sign up!

Discounts on PR packages

Need a little straight-up PR or 501c4 work? Want to put out a story in a state where we have not yet launched? SoundBite Services produces native advertising and content marketing more affordably than any other company we’ve found, and gets wider pickup. In addition, all profits go to fund PNS member scholarships – and, PNS supporters get a 50% discount on top of all that. Check out our PR Needs section to find out more!